Using a state-wide high school robotics competition as the basis for a capstone design experience in electrical engineering

In the fall of 1996, 10 students from the Electrical Engineering capstone design course at Texas A&M University became mentors to high school teams that were entered in a statewide robotics competition. In addition to attending the course lectures and performing the design process themselves, the capstone students became active participants in an intense 5 week experience in design by providing their skills and leadership as mentors to teams of students from near by high schools. Two engineers at Texas Instruments began the Texas Best competition in an effort to Boost Engineering Science and Technology (BEST). Last year, Texas A&M became the host of the statewide final competition. Preliminary competitions that matched 123 teams against each other were held in 6 locations around the state. 26 teams proceeded to the state finals. The growth rate of participation of these kinds of competitions indicates their popularity among the students, parents, sponsors and schools. This paper discusses the value to the student of using the mentoring experience as part of the capstone experience. An outline of the capstone course is also discussed.